Second OT game in a row goes Cougars' way against Mustangs

When North Putnam needed a three to tie the game in the final seconds, Kaden Helderman answered the call, knocking down a long range effort with five seconds remaining and later adding a clinching free throw as the Cougars, having lost in overtime at West Vigo the night before, knocked back Fountain Central Saturday night in another extra session outing 56-54.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

BAINBRIDGE – One overtime game wasn’t enough for North Putnam this weekend.

After dropping an extra session outing at West Vigo Friday night, the Cougars got a late three from Kaden Helderman to take Fountain Central into an extra four minutes where the hosts got key free throws from Nolan Hackleman down the stretch to fell the Mustangs 56-54.

“The biggest thing was we knew that (Fountain Central) was a good team and we knew it would take a top-notch effort to beat a team like that,” North Putnam head coach Vince Brooks said. “Our guys did it.

“Not only was their effort incredible, I was really proud of the guys as we’ve been preaching about how important 50-50 balls are and we did an incredible job of winning those loose balls. We really prepared well, the guys were focused, we played according to the scout that we wanted to play and these guys earned a great win.”

Fountain Central (8-3) used its considerable size advantage well in the first quarter by securing five offensive rebounds in the first eight minutes.

After North Putnam (5-8) scored two of the first three baskets, Will Harmon gave the Mustangs the lead with a three off a steal, followed by a trio of putback baskets from Mason Larkin, Koby Wolf and Isaac Gayler for an 11-6 lead.

The Cougars got a three-point play from Hackleman on a putback basket and a late three from Brady Barber that kept the game close as Fountain Central led 15-14 after a quarter of play.

It would be the Mustangs’ last lead until the second half as Barber’s three was the kickstart of a 9-0 North Putnam run as Hackleman scored twice around a Barber basket to make it 20-15.

Luke Foxworthy hit a three but another quick six-point burst from the hosts made it 26-18, the largest lead of the night for either side.

Fountain Central closed the half with an 8-2 run, as Brandon Howell scored twice along with Larkin and Harmon chipping in a bucket each around two Isaac Pickel free throws, leaving the hosts with a 28-26 lead at the break.

“(Fountain Central) has us in size as they’re a big team,” Brooks said about hanging with the Mustangs on the boards. “They play five guys 6’3” or taller and don’t play anyone under 6’.

“Their size was definitely a challenge and I’m not surprised they would win the rebounding battle and we shoot a few more threes than they do, which helps with their rebounding numbers, but I thought our offensive rebounding was incredible tonight. We did a very good job and may have got them there.”

Helderman opened the second half with a three and a basket off a steal to push the lead back out to seven at 33-26 though the Mustangs got all five points back after Foxworthy hit a free throw, Harmon threw down a dunk off a steal and Gayler hit from close range to make it 33-31.

The Cougars kept the lead afloat until Harmon hit a three and Gayler scored off an inbounds play as the Mustangs took a brief 40-39 lead until Brayden Monnett closed the quarter with a three to give the hosts back the advantage at 42-40.

Gayler tied the game at 42-42 top start the fourth quarter with Jaylen Windmiller replying inside and Foxworthy hitting 1-of-2 at the line in the opening two minutes.

From there, both teams had a gentleman’s agreement to slow the game to a crawl as possessions lengthened yet no scoring came with it.

Foxworthy would convert a three-point play with two minutes left with neither side able to make a move until Larkin was fouled with 19 seconds left, hitting 1-of-2 at the line.

North Putnam opted for the tie and with five seconds remaining, Helderman nailed a three from the top of the arc to send the game to overtime.

Hackleman hit 1-of-2 free throws twice to start the extra session with Harmon hitting two at the stripe to tie the game at 49-49.

Monnett hit a three that was answered in kind by Larkin but his participation, as well as Owen Acton’s, was cut short as both fouled out.

Hackleman again hit 1-of-2 at the line before Isaac Hehmann scored his only basket of the night to give Fountain Central a 54-53 lead with a minute to go.

In the critical moment, North Putnam made its biggest effort play of the night, getting four looks at the basket before Hackleman drew a foul and sank both foul shots for a 55-54 lead.

Hehmann was fouled with five seconds left but missed both free throws and Helderman was sent to the line in the ensuing scramble for the rebound, adding the first free throw with the second going wide but with no time for the Mustangs to get a shot away as the Cougars walked away with the overtime win.

“We’ve been in some overtime games and our guys have made a name for themselves with their tenancity and competing until the very end,” Brooks said about winning after falling to West Vigo in overtime the night before. “That paid off tonight.

“It helps when guys hit big shots and our guys hit some big shots tonight. In all reality, if those guys don’t hit those shots, we lose the game but I’m still super proud of their effort and how we played, but we’re fortunate those shots went in.”

Scoring

Fountain Central (17-33 2FG; 4-15 3FG; 8-17 FT) — Gayler 12, Acton 10, Larkin 10, Harmon 10, Foxworthy 8, Wolf 2, Hehmann 2

North Putnam (11-18 2FG; 7-22 3FG; 13-22 FT) — Hackleman 18, Monnett 15, Helderman 11, Barber 5, Farrington 3, Windmiller 2, Pickel 2

Statistics